BFA looks to gov’t for Mares incentives
Kabelo Boranabi | Saturday December 9, 2023 06:00
Making history by securing a spot in the continental showpiece for the second consecutive time, the Mares triumphed over Kenya 2-1 over two legs in the final round of qualifiers. Addressing the media on Wednesday, the BFA president Maclean Letshwiti acknowledged the financial constraints, emphasising the dependence on the government for rewards.
"The incentives are provided by the governments; that is a fact. We, the BFA, do not have that money. No association has that money. However, from us as the BFA, last year the prize was around P2 million, and we gave it all to them, and it's going to be the same. At CAF, we are raising money.
I cannot tell you how much the prize will be, but it is going to be double, and we will be giving it all to them. So, I promise that every bit of penny that is raised by their participation will go to them," Letshwiti assured. While acknowledging the players' low allowances, Letshwiti admitted the BFA's incapacity to issue an increase. He also disclosed the initiation of a mission to raise P10 million for the Mares to adequately prepare for the upcoming tournament. "As you are aware, you just do not go to participate; you prepare to win.
This has been one of our biggest problems in Botswana. We just go there to show up, and that has put us at a very big disadvantage. We have talent, but that talent has to be supported to win. So, we are launching a programme, and we want to raise P10 million. Only then can we expect to win or to go all the way up," Letshwiti asserted. During the press briefing, it was revealed that the Mares would undergo at least three training camps in preparation for the tournament scheduled to take place from May to July in Morocco.
Training camps are anticipated to be held in Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and either Kuwait or Iran. "We are thinking of taking the team for three training camps in Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Kuwait or Iran. For us to do so, we need at least a minimum of P10 million before they can go to the continental showpiece," BFA CEO Mfolo Mfolo explained.